 
Front of Anusim Mezuza. | Inside parts of Anusim Mezuza. | Shema Inside.
Nathanael was a finalist in the 5763 Art exhibit of the Spertus Museum
for Judaic Art. His item is a multi-layered controversial object on the topic of Mezuza.
Nathanael was a finalist of the 2002 Spertus Museum International Judaica
Design Competition. This semi-annual competition focuses on introducing
innovative and top of the line artistic Judaica of the highest calibre. Each
competition targets a specific theme---2002 was the design of a mezuzah. Rather
than going forward in modern design trends, Nathanael went backward in time to
the dark days of the Spanish Inquistition, where signs of Judaism on the
doorpost were invitations for trouble. He researched mezuzah history from the
Middle Ages, halachah, and trends, and created a hidden mezuzah. Disguised as a
"santo" or "retablo" it was found on all the doorposts and gates of traditional
Catholic homes in Mexico and Southwestern U.S. Much of the project was
accomplished through childhood memories of his life in the Southwest among
Indians and Hispanic friends and neighbors. Surprisingly, as his research
expanded, he began to find design trends among "santeros" working in the Pecos
RiverValley in the Mexican Empire Period, in which clearly Hebraic signatures
became apperent in the styles---Solomonic columns, the scallop shell, and certain styles of crowns. Nathanael wishes to carry on this research, but needs
your help. If you have information about converso Jews in the Pecos River
Valley, or any areas in the New Mexico-Texas high desert lands, or if you would
like to contribute to that research, please contact us. The hidden mezuzah is
a closed, hinged, and locked box shown here in four views: a. the exposed front
is the traditional "retablo" showing "Our Lady of Guadeloupe", the patron saint
of Mexico, as she has been traditionally portrayed over the centuries, surrounded
by the ring of flames. Nathanael placed her with a "courtyard" with a closed
fence and double gate, which actally opens and closes on hinges. Gold plated
brass gate and backing, with copper flames, plastic statue treating with
phosphorous material for night time glow. b and c: the box has been opened by its owner, now revealing the insides, and the beginning of the revelation of the mezzuzah. b. on the left side, is an amulet, with
magical phrases and words of kabbalistic origins, dating from the middle ages, in
gold plated brass. c. on the right hand side, shows a holy ark (aron hakodesh),
in silver, done in tradional Roccoco style, with Ten Commandments on the doors
of the ark. d. The doors are opened, and the mezuzah itself rests fully opened
inside, covered and protected by a gold plated grill created by the Hebrew words
of the Kiryat Shema prayer. The mezuzah was written k'chalachah, according to
traditions of Spanish Jews. The piece was not returned after the exhibition at
Spertus Museum in Chicago, and is now in a private collection of mezuzoth. It may
be possible to aquire a similar one.
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